Sweet Land (2005)

Set in 1920, Inge travels from Germany to rural Minnesota meet the man destined to be her husband. Bureaucracy and social morality cause major complications.

Director:

Ali Selim

Writers:

Will Weaver (short story "A Gravestone Made of Wheat"), Ali Selim

Stars:

Elizabeth Reaser, Lois Smith, Patrick Heusinger

6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elizabeth Reaser	...	Young Inge
Lois Smith	...	Old Inge
Patrick Heusinger	...	Young Lars
Stephen Pelinski	...	Old Lars
Tim Guinee	...	Young Olaf
Robert Hogan	...	Old Olaf
Alan Cumming	...	Young Frandsen
Paul Sand	...	Old Frandsen
Jodie Markell	...	Donna Torvik
Sage Kermes	...	Mae Torvik
Kirsten Frantzich	...	Lee
Stephen Yoakam	...	Einar Torvik
Karen Landry	...	Rose Torvik
James Cada	...	Minister Thorwald
Debbie DeLisi	...	Sarah Torvik

Storyline

As Inge buries her husband Olaf on their Minnesota farm in 1968, we relive her life story as she tells her grown grandson about how she arrived from Germany in 1920 as Olaf's postal bride and of the obstacles they overcame in order to marry...

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Plot Keywords:

minnesota | 1920s | farm | morality | bicycle | 

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Taglines:

A love story

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief partial nudity and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Norwegian

Release Date:

31 July 2008 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Wedding Photo

Filming Locations:

Dawson, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$41,860 (USA) (13 October 2006)

Gross:

$1,706,325 (USA) (6 July 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

120dB Films, Beautiful Motion Pictures LLC, Channel Z Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dan Futterman was originally cast as Olaf, but by the time the movie was ready to shoot, Futterman was committed to Capote so he recommended Tim Guinee for the role.

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Goofs

They harvest an entire field of corn between the two of them, when they get back to the barn, the crop is suddenly wheat. They go through the whole "separating the wheat from the chaff" process, and pour the seed into sacks.

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Quotes

Inge: Dreams? Yes, you have?
Young Olaf: I have work, I don't have dreams.
Inge: [pushes him in a rage] Crows have dreams!
Young Olaf: [correcting her] "Ducks".
Inge: ...pheasants, all have dreams. But not you!
Young Olaf: Ducks don't have dreams. They get cold, they fly south.

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Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Eskimo Kisses"
Music and Lyrics by Thomas Lieberman (as T.F. Lieberman)
Published by Liza Rose Music (ASCAP)
Performed by Thomas Lieberman (as Tom Lieberman)

User Reviews

Excellent film from a new talent in Hollywood, Hurray!

This film is marvelous, I was able to have a sneak peak as a student here at the U of M because my teacher (Tom Pope) actually aided in the screenplay of this wonderful debut. Avoiding all the clichés of a typical Hollywood romance, this one doesn't go strait for the tear ducts but if it doesn't warm those puppies up by the end than you're a heartless person. Excellent cast, story and directing, I cannot wait till this is out there for the public. There was a Q&A afterward with the director (Ali) and the producers, and it was so interesting to hear and see their processes in their own words, wonderful men who deserve all the success in the world with this film, a great movie for all ages, truly original and moving.